U-turn on new Louth homes

Residents have been against proposals for 46 new homes in Eastfield Road since the start. But the plans have now been passed.

It was second time lucky for a controversial proposal by Cyden Homes to build 46 dwellings on an arable field on the outskirts of Louth.

Back in April, East Lindsey District Council refused the application but at this month’s planning meeting held last Thursday, a revised scheme for the 2.2-hectare site off Eastfield Road was approved by seven votes to five .

The revised plans include a significant change designed to address the privacy concerns of residents living in neighbouring Park Row.

Planning committee members heard the development will now incorporate a five-metre landscaped ‘buffer’, comprising of privet hedging and silver birch trees.

However, the project has still attracted strong opposition with 13 letters of objection submitted to the district council.

In a presentation to the committee, Colin Wooding, representing residents of Eastfield Road and Park Row, voiced concerns about issues such as increased traffic and flood risk.

His concerns were echoed by ward representative Coun Ros Jackson who said that as a consequence of the proposed landscape buffer zone, the layout of the proposed properties would be “overcrowded and squashed in”.

Coun Terry Aldridge expressed serious doubts whether the intended flood alleviation measures would be effective.

He reminded his committee colleagues that this part of Louth was particularly vulnerable to the problem.

However, Steve Ibottson, representing the applicants, maintained that the proposed creation of an attenuation pond would hold back excess rainfall until such a time as it could be released safely into existing watercourses,

He told committee members: “This will be a betterment to what exists at present.”

In a report recommending approval, ELDC case officer Andy Booth wrote; “There are no technical obstacles to the development of the site.

“The highway authority is content that means of access and internal road design and layout are acceptable.

“Surface water run-off is to be suitably managed in a manner that will enhance the quality of the development.”

Before any of the proposed homes are occupied, the council will seek assurances from Anglian Water that means of foul water drainage are adequate to cope with the new development.

The committee was advised that Cyden Homes had agreed to contribute £102,484 towards the cost of constructing a classroom block at the nearby primary school in readiness for an influx of additional pupils.